NFC West: Rams, 49ers start off 2023 with big wins
Week 1 of the NFL had a surprise in the NFC West. While the San Francisco 49ers were winners and the Arizona Cardinals were losers, the season-opening divisional matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks did not go as expected.
After one week of play, the NFC West standings look like this:
Los Angeles Rams 1-0 (1-0 division)
San Francisco 49ers 1-0 (0-0 division)
Arizona Cardinals 0-1 (0-0 division)
Seattle Seahawks 0-1 (0-1 division)
Here is what happened in Week 1.
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49ers
The 49ers cruised to a 30-7 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1. Christian McCaffrey had 152 rushing yards and a touchdown. Brock Purdy threw two touchdown passes and the defense held the Steelers to 239 total yards. They sacked Kenny Pickett five times.
Los Angeles Rams/Seattle Seahawks
The Rams went into Seattle and blew out the Seahawks 30-13.
Seattle only gained 180 yards of offense.
Without receiver Cooper Kupp, Matthew Stafford passed for 334 yards. Rookie Puka Naca had 10 catches for 119 yards and Tutu Atwell had six for 119.
The Rams had three rushing touchdowns.
Seattle is coming off a playoff season and was expected to be good. The Rams were not expected to be good and get the upset in Seattle.
Cardinals
The Cardinals played great defensively and bad offensively in a 20-16 road loss to the Washington Commanders.
They gained only 210 yards but held the Commanders to 248. They forced three turnovers, had six sacks and scored a defensive touchdown.
Were it not for quarterback Josh Dobbs’ two fumbles that led to 10 Washington points, the Cardinals would have had the win.
Coming in Week 2
The Cardinals have their home opener against the 0-1 New York Giants.
The Seahawks will face the 1-0 Detroit Lions on the road.
The 49ers are on the road against the Rams.
